Low Flying

HC Deb 17 January 1990 vol 165 cc293-5W

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of the United States Air Force in Europe document entitled "USAF Tactical Fighter Low-level Flying Training in the Federal Republic of Germany Data Book" of December 1988 his Department has obtained; what was their distribution; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

Sufficient copies of this document are available to my Department and have been widely distributed. The contents of the document are a matter for the United States authorities.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many low-flying sorties have been carried out

Year	Number of cases	Section of Air Force Act	Charge	Sentence
1985	1	51	Unlawful low flying	£300 fine and severe reprimand
		52	Flying in a manner likely to cause unnecessary annoyance
1989	1	51	Unlawful low flying	Forfeitence of 18 months seniority and severe reprimand
		52	Flying in a manner likely to cause unnecessary annoyance

by (a) the Royal Air Force and (b) other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air forces over the Don Valley constituency for the last year for which he has figures.

Mr. Neubert

Records are not kept of the number of military low-flying sorties carried out over individual constituencies.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) for Royal Air Force aircrew and (b) other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air forces' aircrew, the chances of survival factors, when flying (i) under 100 ft, (ii) between 100 ft and 200 ft and (iii) over 200 ft.

Mr. Neubert

While studies into the survivability of Royal Air Force aircraft in combat have been carried out by the Ministry of Defence, the results are classified. However, it is generally accepted throughout the NATO air forces that as height decreases, survivability against hostile defence forces increases; and that survivability at very low levels is a balance between the risk from hostile defence forces and the risks arising from proximity to the ground and obstacles and that the latter risks can be reduced by adequate and realistic training to the extent possible in peacetime.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by type and mark the current jet aircraft used by the Royal Air Force in low-flying sorties.

Mr. Neubert

The strike-attack, offensive support and reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force listed in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1989 Cmd 675-I (page 59) have a primary low-level role. Other Royal Air Force jet aircraft may also need to carry out a proportion of their training at low level in peacetime.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by year since 1984(a) the percentage of low flying, (b) the percentage of sorties and (c) the average flying duration time, carried out by (i) Buccaneer, (ii) Jaguar, (iii) Tornado and (iv) Harrier aircraft, used by the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Neubert

The information requested cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State For Defence if he will list by year since 1984 the number of confirmed cases of(a) unlawful low flying and (b) flying to cause annoyance by pilots of military jet aircraft; and what action was taken in each case.

Mr. Neubert

There have been two cases since 1984, both in the Royal Air Force, of unlawful low flying and flying to cause annoyance by pilots of military jet aircraft. Both cases were dealt with by court martial; the details are given in the following table:

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the strategic requirements for Royal Air Force low-flying sorties during(a) daytime flying and (b) night-time flying; and what restrictions are imposed.

Mr. Neubert

I refer the hon. Member to the background information on low flying training provided in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988 Cmd. 675-I (page 30).

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number of low-flying missions over Northumberland for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Neubert

Records are not kept of the number of military low-flying sorties carried out over individual counties.